The Noble Devotional Practice of Sayyiduna Bilal

The Noble Devotional Practice of Hazrat Bilal RadiAllahu Anhu

Hazrat Bilal RadiAllahu Anhu, the first mu'azzin of Islam, was known for his deep devotion and spiritual consistency.

Hazrat ibne Buraidah RadiAllahu Anhu narrates:

أَصْبَحَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بلالًا، فَقَالَ: يَا بِلالُ، بِمَ سَبَقْتَنِي إِلَى الجَنَّةِ؟ إِنِّي دَخَلْتُ الجَنَّةَ البَارِحَةَ، فَسَمِعْتُ خَشْخَشْتَكَ أَمَامِي ..... فَقَالَ بِلال: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ، مَا أَذَنْتُ قَطَّ إِلَّا صَلَّيْتُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، وَمَا أَصَابَنِي حَدَثٌ قَطُّ إِلَّا تَوَضَّأَتُ عِندَهُ. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : بِهَذَا

Translation: One morning, the Messenger of Allah awoke and called for

Hazrat Bilal RadiAllahu Anhu. He said, "O Bilal! What deed has caused you to precede me in Paradise? Last night, I entered Paradise and heard the sound of your footsteps ahead of me." With utmost humility, Hazrat Bilal RadiAllahu Anhu replied, "O Messenger of Allah, I never give the Azaan without first offering two rak'aat of Salaah, and whenever my state of wudu is broken, I immediately renew it." The Holy Prophet affirmed, "It is because of this." (Musnad Imam Ahmad Volume 38 page 148 / Mu'assasah al-Risaalah Beirut)

This narration highlights the virtue of offering two voluntary rak'aat after every ablution, a practice known as Tahiyyatul Wudu. When performed outside of the Makrooh (disliked) times, it carries immense spiritual merit. The following hadith from Saheeh Muslim further affirms its reward: "Whoever perfects his wudu and performs two rak'aat Salaah with full presence of heart and mind, Paradise becomes obligatory for him."

(Saheeh Muslim Shareef, Chapter of purification).